Steam-winding mechanism for watches.



A. PLEAN.

STEM WINDING MECHANISM FOR WATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1908.

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Patented New. 2, 1909.

A. PLEAN.

STEM WINDING MECHANISM FOR WATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1908.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

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ABRAHAM PLEAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STEM-WINDING MECHANISM FOR \IVATCI-IES.

Application filed November 13, 1908.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM PLEAN, a subjectof the Czar of Russia, andresiding in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, in thecounty of Kings, in the State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in StemlVinding Mechanisms for latches, whereof thefollowing is a specification.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a stem windingmechanism practically operative single-handed, that is to say the watchmay be conveniently wound while held in one hand without assistance fromthe other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stem winding mechanismsimple in construction and composed of few parts and thereforeeconomical to make.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents on an enlarged scale aplan view of an open faced watch embodying one form of this invention,portions of the crystal and its supporting frame and of the dial andparts of the going train being broken away to show the interiorconstruction. Fig. 2 represents also on an enlarged scale a vertical,diametrical section on line 22 of Fig. 1 including a longitudinalsection of the case stem or pendant. Fig. 3 represents on a greatlyenlarged scale a transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 4 showing themain spring and this improved winding mechanism in operative connectiontherewith. Fig. 4 represents on the same scale as Fig. 3 a plan view ofthe winding wheel of the spring drum and those parts of this improvedwinding mechanism immediately connected therewith. Fig. 5 represents atransverse section thereof like wise greatly enlarged on line 55 of Fig.at.

The same reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the differentfigures.

This invention may be embodied in or adapted to watches of varioustypes.

In the form of embodiment herein illustrated, merely as an example, theimprovement is shown in connection with a well known type of Americanwatch, whereof the watch movement comprises as usual, a going barrel a,a barrel arbor b, a main spring 0 secured to said arbor and barrel, agoing wheel (Z, a main winding wheel 6 secured to the barrel arbor, anda check pawl f pivoted at f with spring g for controlling the wind ingwheel 6; these parts being of the ordinary or usual construction.

The watch movement or works as shown are inclosed in an ordinaryopen-faced case 10, having a hollow pendant or case stem to which thewatch bow is secured in the usual manner. The pendant and bow are shownas slightly elongated beyond the ordinary length of these parts, butthis exceptional length is not absolutely necessary. The pendant 15 isprovided on its interior with a stop 16 in the form of a screw orotherwise.

A hollow crown or knob is adapted to fit over and slide on the pendant15. This crown moves in and out like a push button in the operation ofwinding the watch as hereinafter described. The usual enlargement of thecrown and the flut-ing or milling thereof may be omitted, as no turningfunction is required.

A push pin normally projected by a spring tension through the peripheryof the watch case or into or through the hollow pendant or stem thereof,serves as the actuating device of the winding mechanism. The push pin ispreferably divided into an outer push pin adapted to slidelongitudinally within the hollow pendant and an inner push pin or sliderod actuated by the push pin 80 and having its outer end within saidpendant and its inner end within the interior of the watch. The push pin30 is screwed or otherwise attached at its outer end to the slidingcrown or push button 25. Any suitable stop means are provided forlimiting the strokes or movements of the push pin. Means shown for thispurpose include a longitudinal slot 31, which may be in the form of acircun1 ferential recess in the body of the pin 30, and the stop 16which engages said slot or recess.

The slide or push rod 35 is guided in an eye 11 in the bridge betweenthe back plate and the front or top plate h of the movement and at itsinner end in a perforated lug 12 dependent from said plate 71. Thisslide rod or stem 35 is normally held in outward position by anysuitable spring tension and is preferably provided with an elongatedhead 36 at its outer end. This slide rod is provided with a stop 37about midway of its length, which stop is shown in the form of ashoulder, the diameter of the inner portion of the rod being reducedfrom this point.

Any transmitting mechanism adapted for use in a watch may be employedfor transmitting the inward thrust motion of the push pin or pins to thewinding wheel or its equivalent on the barrel arbor; The particularmeans herein shown which I have devised for this purpose and which arethe best means devised by me include a driving pawl and ratchetmechanism disposed between the push pin and the winding gear of thebarrel arbor. An arm or cross bar %0 which constitutes an actuator forthe pawl and ratchet mechanism is provided on its under side with aperforated lug 41 through which the inner reduced portion of the sliderod is passed, the stop on said rod engaging or being engaged by saidperforated lug. This arm or cross bar 40 moves in and out with themovements of the push pin and slides over the face of the top plate ofthe works, said top plate having a recess 13 to permit the connectinglug e1 to pass. A link -ft5 is pivotally connected at its outer end tothe arm L0 and pivotally connected at its inner end in any suitablemanner to a movable pawl support. This link is preferably disposed inthe same plane with the pawl sup port so as to secure compactness, andthe connection of the link with the plate constituting the pawl supportis of a peculiar construction which admits this relative arrangement ofthese parts. The movable pawl support herein shown is in the form of anoscillating plate or collar loose on a fixed boss The boss is fixed onthe top plate /I of the works not far from the barrelarbor, beingpreferably provided with a central stud 56 which fits an opening in saidtop plate. The boss is preferably further secured in position on saidplate by means of screws 57 and 58. The upper edge of the boss isprovided with an overhanging lip or flange 59.

An intermediate gear wheel 60 is adapted to turn on the fixed boss 55adjacent to said top plate and this gear meshes with the winding wheel 0of the watch movement. The oscillating pawl support or collar 50 isdisposed on the boss 55 above the intermediate gear wheel 60. Thiscollar has preferably a rabbet 51 around its central opening to receivethe flange 59 of said boss, whereby the collar is held in position. Thecollar 50 is also provided with peripheral projections 52 and 53, theprojection 52 having a circular slot 54: open at one side, and this slothas an overhanging lip or flange 54- similar to the lip 59 of the boss55. The link 4&5 has a rounded enlargement or trunnion 46 at its innerend which fits the circular slot 54 of the collar 50 whereby the pivotalconnection between said link and collar is made flush with the latter.The link has a recess 47 on one side to avoid interference with theperiphery of the collar in the inward position of the link. This link isalso provided on its opposite side with a recess etS forming a stopshoulder L9 against which impinges the pointed side 52 of the projection52 and limits the return sweep of the collar 50. A pawl is pivoted onthe underside of the projection 55) of the collar 50, and a spring 66secured at one end to the projection 52 of said collar bears at its freeend on said pawl and tends to hold it in engagement with the teeth ofsaid intermediate wheel 60 which serves the double purpose of a ratchetand a gear wheel. A spring 70 secured at one end by a set screw 71 inthe top plate h of the works bears at its free end against the cross baror arm 40 and operates to restore the winding mechanism to normaloperative position after each actuation thereof. Any suitable spring orrestoring device or mechanism may be employed.

In the operation of this stem winding mechanism, the watch may be heldin one hand and a pressure by one finger or the thumb of the same handupon the crown or push button 25 pushes the push pins 30 and inward thedistance of one stroke or until the push pin 30 is arrested by the stopit). This inward stroke of the push pins carries the arm stO inwardbetween the dial and the top plate of the works toward the center of thewatch, thrusts the link :5 inward and turns the collar 50 a partialrotation on its axis. The pawl 65 disposed on the pawl support 50 andengaging the immediate ratchet gear wheel (30 turns the latter thedistance of five or six teeth more or less. The wheel (30 being in gearwith the main winding wheel c of the barrel arbor turns said windingwheel whereby the barrel arbor is actuated and theanain springcorrespondingly wound. W'hen the instroke of the push pins is completed,the crown is released by the finger or thumb and the outstroke of saidpins is effected by the spring 70, which restores the winding mechanismto normal position. The pawl 65 rides freely over the teeth of the wheel65, which remains stationary, being interlocked by its intermeshing withthe main winding wheel 0 held by its check pawl The crown is operated inthe manner of a push button a sutiicientnumber of times to complete thewinding up of the watch. The sliding push pins are more sensitive to theresistance of the spring being wound than the rotary winding stemsordinarily employed in stem winding watches, and such resistance issutficient when the winding is nearly completed to serve as a positivewarning to the operator. This warning avoids the danger of breakage ofthe main spring by excessive strain after the winding is completed ornearly so.

The mechanism and its details may be varied without departing from thescope of this invention.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of a time mechanism,

t Ll a watch case inclosing said time mechanism, a push pin adapted toslide radially in said watch case and project beyond the peripherythereof, an intermediate toothed wheel in operative connection with thewinding arbor of said time mechanism, an oscillating pawl support, aspring pawl pivoted to said support and engaging said toothed Wheel, anda link having pivotal connection with said pawl support and with saidpush pin.

2. The combination of a watch case, a tubular pendant thereon, a timemechanism, a winding mechanism, a push pin normally in connection withsaid winding mechanism, a hollow crown freely slidable in and out onsaid pendant and operative by inward thrusts in connection with saidpush pin to actuate said winding mechanism, and automatic means forthrusting said crown into normal winding position.

3. The combination of a watch case, a l1ollow pendant thereon, a springactuated time mechanism, a freely slidable spring tensioned push rodterminating at its outer end in said pendant, means for transmitting theinward thrust motion of said push rod to the winding arbor of the timemechanism, and a hollow crown freely slidable longitudinally on saidpendant, said crown being provided with a push pin and operative on itsinward thrusts to wind the watch.

4. The combination of a spring-actuated time mechanism, a slidingspring-actuated push pin, a slide engaged by said push pin, a pawl andratchet mechanism engaging the winding arbor of said time mechanism, anda link connecting said pawl and ratchet mechanism with said slide.

The combination of a watch case provided with a hollow pendant, a watchworks within said case, whereof the front plate is provided with aradial recess in line with said pendant, a slide adapted to move oversaid front plate and provided with a lug ex tending into said recess, apush pin extending into said hollow pendant and engaging said lug, and aconnecting mechanism between said slide and the winding arbor of saidwatch works.

(i, The combination of a watch works hav ing an eye in the bridgebetween the back and front plates and a perforated lug connected withone of said plates, a spring-tensioned push rod or stem supported insaid eye and lug and a transmitting mechanism between said push rod andthe winding arher of said watch works.

7. The combination of a watch works having an eye in the bridge betweenthe back and front plates and a perforated lug connected with one ofsaid plates, a spring-tensioned push rod supported in said eye and lug,a stop on said push rod, and a transmitting mechanism between said pushrod and the winding arbor of said watch works.

8. The combination of a watch works, a pawl and ratchet windingmechanism therefor comprising an oscillating plate carrying the pawl forengaging the ratchet and provided with a peripheral circular slot openat one side, a reciprocating actuator, and a link pivoted at one end tosaid actuator and provided at its other end with a rounded trunnionengaging said circular slot.

9. The combination of a watch works, a pawl and ratchet windingmechanism therefor comprising an oscillating plate carrying the pawl forengaging the ratchet and provided with a peripheral circular slot openat one side, a reciprocating actuator, and a link pivoted at one end tosaid actuator and provided at its other end with a rounded trunnionengaging said circular slot, said link being in the same plane with saidplate.

10. The combination of a watch works, a pawl and ratchet windingmechanism therefor comprising an oscillating plate carrying the pawl forengaging the ratchet wheel and H'OVlClBCl with a peripheral circularslot open at one side, a reciprocating actuator, and a link pivoted atone end to said actuator and at the other end to said plate in the sameplane therewith, being there provided with a rounded trunnion engagingsaid circular slot, said-link having a recess on one side adjacent tosaid trunnion to avoid contact with the periphery of said plate whenthrust inward.

11. The combination of a watch works, a pawl and ratchet windingmechanism therefor comprising an oscillating plate carrying the pawl forengaging the ratchet wheel and provided with a peripheral circular slothaving an opening at one side and a point at one edge of said opening, areciprocating actuator, and a link pivoted at one end to said actuatorand at the other end to said plate in the same plane therewith, beingthere provided with a rounded trunnion engaging said circular slot andwith a stop shoulder adapted to engage said point.

ABRAHAM PLEAN.

W'itnesses J OSEPH FEINSON, lVIAY PLEAN.

